User reviews

This movie follows Charlie and her mother Rachael who's family dynamic is clearly off. Charlie lives in isolation and the filmmakers take their time to build the perception that there is something very much wrong with him. This non-linear story then jumps to Rachael who is being interviewed by a detective after Charlie disappears. The creation of this desolate world is accompanied by a rather dramatic score and both our leads bring these characters to life.

If you are looking for a fast paced thriller, look elsewhere, however if you are looking for a proper character study about PTSD and the devastating effects it has on a family, this gem will surely not disappoint you.

This isn't just a slow burn. It embers that smolder for 90 minutes with the two leads putting their hearts and souls into the film. The film uses a lot of long, lingering shots. So prepare to take your time to soak it all in.

Charlie is a melancholic and deeply emotional exploration of grief and fear. The story centers on a widowed mother grappling with the challenges of raising her emotionally volatile teenage son, Charlie. On the surface, Charlie (played by Gavin White) appears emotionally withdrawn and possibly on the autism spectrum. However, as the film unravels, we come to understand that there is something far more sinister driving his outbursts.

The film's narrative unfolds in a non-linear fashion, slowly building tension as it leads up to its chilling finale and a powerful emotional reconciliation. Gavin White delivers a standout performance, showcasing a complex range of emotions in his portrayal of Charlie. His real-life mother, Kari White, also does an admirable job in the role of his on-screen mom, lending a palpable authenticity to their fraught relationship.

Visually, the film is well shot, with careful attention to detail, though some scenes linger longer than necessary, slowing down the pacing. This is a common challenge when the director of photography also serves as the editor, as maintaining objectivity can become difficult. Despite these pacing issues, Charlie delivers a solid and moving story. For those who are patient with its deliberate, slow-burn approach, the film offers a rewarding and thought-provoking experience.

Depression is real and it was well displayed in this film. This was a creative way to show what goes on behind closed doors when dealing with depression. It's back and forth.

Rediculously long shots of staring into nothing, washing dishes, looking in the mirror, babbling brook, drawing something and on and on and on and on.... Get it? Terrible acting, audio sounds like it is dubbed in. The whole story could fit into a 15 minute short. It really was so hard to keep awake. Even the music is boring. Don't waste your time on this one. Very depressing.

Catastrophic reverberations set off by a teen's actions stay with him. Gavin White, who also wrote the piece, did an outstanding job as Charlie. There were some questions I would have liked to have answered and the pacing at times seemed slow, but this is definitely worth a look. Both Gavin and Alec Ybarra have promising futures and I would be interested in their upcoming projects.

What a captivating and deliberately paced healing-of-the-soul. This story is written, directed and filmed by teenage Alec Ybarra, and I'm very impressed! I loved the subtlety of the dialogue conjunct the immense pain and internal chaos the main character is struggling to overcome. The tenderness between mother and son is a sacred relationship, and nicely executed in this film. "Charlie" is an intriguing story I would highly recommend!

Charlie takes a formalistic look on domestic themes in Alec Ybarra's claustrophobic psychological drama. The plot unfolds in a non-linear manor which will keep the audience guessing (perhaps indefinitely). Ybarra delivers airtight mise-en-scene that owes much to the observed social realism of contemporary European masters. A stronger exploration of character and theme would have equaled the inspirations, but writer/director Ybarra's vision makes this suburban-American portrait easy viewing.

Would recommend if you like elevated cinema. Contemporary, requires you to actively engage. You get out of this film what you put in.

Charlie is a quiet film, paced to perfection. You need to be ready for a slow-burn emotional power punch, but if you know what you're in for it's worth your time. Since seeing this film and its beautiful cinematography, I looked into filmmaker Ybarra and was so amazed by how young he is, so I checked out his earlier shorts. While they show he was clearly taking the learn-by-do approach, this proves he sure as hell has learnt (each film improves). I'm blown away by the maturity Charlie, so please give it your attention. Looking forward to see what Ybarra does next.

A teenager and mom deal with the aftermath of a traumatic event. Coping is severely hard for the pair. The things that take place in this story are realistic and the dialogue will hopefully encourage parents who watch this film to talk to their children about various subjects. The cinematography was good.

This movie gave me "Blackcoat's Daughter" vibes in its stylistic approach. Incredibly moody and atmospheric. It's a very well handled film that puts trauma under microscope and at times gives you no choice other than to sit with characters in their plight, as uncomfortable as it may be. It's a very effective indie film and I absolutely recommend.

The acting is very strong in this movie. It is a slow burn but interesting and well done. The directing is solid. The cinematography is good. The cinematography is good as are the special effects. It is a low budget indie but worth watch.

A great combination of factors made this movie grab me from the start. The positioning of the camera and the decision of the shots are very interesting. It's like the camera shows us what's inside Charlie's head.

I am very impressed with Alec's work and how he manages to connect all the necessary elements to have a successful film.

Music also plays a crucial role, very important within the psychology of this story.

I liked the decision to leave the camera still for a significant amount of time without any action to immerse us in the events going through the main character's head.

There is an outstanding job by Director Alec Ybarra, and this reflects in the actors' solid performances.

A highly recommended movie.

Directed by the talented Alec Ybarra, "Charlie" is a powerful and moving exploration of the human spirit in the face of trauma and adversity. With its heartfelt performances and emotionally resonant storyline, this film is a testament to the enduring power of hope and resilience.

The film centers around Charlie, a socially-awkward teenage boy who finds himself trapped in a prison of guilt following a traumatic experience. As he struggles to navigate the aftermath of the event, Charlie must confront his deepest fears.

Ybarra's direction is masterful, capturing the raw emotion and vulnerability of the characters with sensitivity and depth. The film unfolds at a deliberate pace, allowing viewers to immerse themselves fully in Charlie's world and experience the full weight of his anguish and despair. With its powerful performances, evocative storytelling, and rich thematic depth, this film is a must-watch for anyone seeking a moving and thought-provoking cinematic experience.

A beautifully shot and heartfelt drama dealing with the aftermath of trauma. Engaging and realistic performances by all the cast. This is a great, thoughtful film - a slow burn that will stay with you long after the credits role. Highly recommended.

Charlie is an excellent heartfelt drama, that deals with the aftermath of a deep trauma.

The acting is top notch is this well paced thrilling drama. You really get to know and empathize with these characters as the deal with the ptsd they are going through.

Alec Ybarra did an amazing job writing this well thought out script. The story really holds your attention, as you get to know these characters and you have a genuine concern for how things are going to play out for them in the story.

Alec Ybarra also did an incredible job filming this in a style that really adds to the storytelling. I can't wait to more movies from him.

This was an engaging drama which keeps the viewer in anticipation. Charlie has interesting and well thought out cinematography and contains great production value which aptly tells this coming of age story of a teen dealing with life challenges.